ANTHONY JOSHUA has hit back at his critics after he clinically reclaimed his heavyweight world champion status with a defeat of Andy Ruiz Jr.
The Watford boxer controlled the bout as he took revenge for the defeat he suffered at the hands of Ruiz in June with a composed points victory in Saudi Arabia.
Anthony Joshua dominated to reclaim his heavyweight titlesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Many wrote Joshua off after his loss to Ruiz and the 30-year-old believes regaining the WBA, IBF and WBO belts proves his enduring quality.
“It’s all about preparation. One day when I release a book I will talk about my career. It’s all about experience – life is a rollercoaster, what do you want me to do, give up? Retire? Come on man,” Joshua told Sky Sports.
“I want to thank God. Next I want to say ‘man, the first time was so nice, I had to do it twice’.
“A man like me don’t make no excuses, my boy (Dereck) Chisora said I am ready to win this if I am ready to D.I.E.”
After suffering a seventh round stoppage in his previous meeting with Ruiz, Joshua came into the bout with a refocused mindset which saw him adapt his training and weigh in over three stone lighter than his opponent.
The 2012 Olympic champion was clearly more aware of the threat posed by Ruiz and kept the Mexican at distance to command proceedings on the night.
Joshua displays his winningsCredit: PA:Press Association
“This is about boxing, I am used to knocking people out, but last time I got hurt, so I gave the man his credit and said I would correct myself again. I respect Andy so much,” Joshua said of his approach.
“The sweet science of this sport is about hitting and not getting hit. Never a change in mentality, you know the saying ‘stay hungry, stay humble’ – I am hungry and I am humble.”
While Joshua, who eluded to a possible rematch to complete a trilogy with Ruiz, said prior to the fight that he would not get carried away should he win, he admitted to feeling emotional in the aftermath of the success.
He said: “I didn’t want to get too carried away but it is emotional. This is about the public, and about British boxing. They won tonight and we created history by opening the floodgates.
“To Andy Ruiz and his family and team, love and respect and I want to see him in the ring again because he is very talented. l can box but I like to fight. I’m a warrior at heart, and sometimes when you’re used to knocking a man out, it can happen to you.
“I’m a man that has made mistakes and when I was on losing path in life, I matured and bounced back. After I took my loss I had to mature as a fighter. Life is in boxing and that is why I love it because they go hand in hand. “
The Sun Sport’s John Hutchinson and Jack Figg predict a Joshua win during an in-depth preview ahead of Ruiz v Joshua II
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
